As usual, this guide covers: pre-travel preparation, transportation, accommodation, attractions, and food.
We’ll walk you through exploring Macau step by step. Keep reading to find out more!
1. What should you prepare before coming to Macau?
1) Currency
Macau uses the Macanese Pataca (MOP). You can exchange it in advance at the Bank of China. Currency exchange services are also available at Macau’s border checkpoints and tourist areas. The exchange rate fluctuates, but generally, 1 Chinese Yuan equals around 0.8 MOP. You can use Chinese Yuan and Hong Kong Dollars here, but most places charge at a 1:1 ratio, which means you’ll lose a bit. Most attractions have widely adopted Alipay and WeChat Pay, so you don’t need to exchange too much cash!
2) Data SIM Card/Phone Card
Buy it online in advance based on the number of days you’ll be staying. Insert it when crossing the border. If you bought a data SIM card, after inserting it into your phone’s slot, you need to go to settings, find your number, and turn on “Data Roaming”.
3) Power Adapters/Power Banks
Always bring your own power bank when traveling. Just like Hong Kong, Macau doesn’t have shared power banks, so we strongly recommend bringing your own UK standard plug adapter + converter or directly bringing a data cable + power bank.
2. Macau Transportation Guide
1) How to get to Macau?
① Direct flight: Many cities have direct flights to Macau. If you’re coming from far away, you can choose to fly. The airport provides free casino shuttles to various hotels and the city center.
② From Shenzhen: Take the metro from Shenzhen North Station to Shenzhen Shekou, which takes about 70 minutes. Alternatively, take a ferry from Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Center to Taipa Ferry Terminal, which takes 1 hour and costs 229 RMB.
③ From Zhuhai:
- ① Gongbei Port: Close to Zhuhai Station, convenient transportation, free casino shuttles available, but crowded. Daily opening hours for border crossing are 6:00-1:00 (the next day).
- ② Qingmao Port: Located next to Zhuhai High-Speed Rail Station, few people, no free casino shuttles. Open 24 hours for border crossing.
- ③ Hengqin Port: Few people, convenient for border crossing, close to Taipa, but basically only has casino shuttles going to Taipa hotels. Open 24 hours for border crossing.
- ④ Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port: Inconvenient transportation and location, but few people and open 24 hours for travel between Hong Kong and Macau.
PS: In case of heavy rain or strong winds, big waves may cause seasickness. If choosing to take a ferry, it’s best to prepare motion sickness patches or medicine in advance.
2) Transportation within Macau
1️⃣ Taxis 🚕 [Expensive + difficult to hail at attractions, not recommended]
- 1) Taxis in Macau are really expensive. The starting price is 19 MOP, and it increases by 2 MOP every 240 meters. A 10 km ride costs around 100 MOP.
- 2) Macau’s roads are winding with many one-way streets. It’s sometimes hard to tell if the driver is intentionally taking a longer route.
- 3) If you have a lot of luggage and need to take a taxi, you can hail one on the roadside. Queuing for taxis at hotel entrances is relatively faster!
2️⃣ Buses 🚌 [Many bus stops and routes, relatively convenient]
1) Payment methods?
Previously, they only accepted cash (Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong Dollars, or Macanese Patacas). Now, they’ve introduced Alipay QR code payment, which is really convenient and fast. (PS: We still recommend carrying some change, just in case!)
2) How to take a bus using Alipay?
- ① Open the Alipay homepage and click “Travel”.
- ② After entering the “Travel” page, set the region to “Macau, China” to activate the bus code service.
- ③ After getting on the bus, directly scan the QR code to pay. One code per person, automatically converting to the real-time exchange rate. It costs about 5.4 RMB per bus ride.
3) How to check bus arrival information?
After searching which bus route you want to take on Amap, use the “Bus Stop Announcements” feature to get real-time information on how long until your bus arrives, how crowded the bus is, or the traffic conditions.
4) Note
At the bus stop, wave to signal the driver to stop. Before getting off, press the bell to inform the driver to stop. Buses in Macau generally don’t stop at stations automatically.
3️⃣ Casino Shuttles 🚌
1) What are casino shuttles?
Macau’s casino shuttles, also known as “prosperity buses”, are free buses that shuttle between Macau’s major hotels, border checkpoints, and ferry terminals. They are free for everyone to ride.
2) Where can you find casino shuttles?
- ① Gongbei Port: Macau Peninsula
- 📍 Shuttle stop: Turn left to find the free bus stop
- ② Hengqin Port: Taipa, Macau [There are very few casino shuttles to hotels on the peninsula here; almost all are hotel buses to Taipa]
- 📍 Shuttle stop: 100 meters under the bridge directly opposite the Macau side of the Hengqin Port building
- ③ Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal
- 📍 Shuttle stop: Outside the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal on the peninsula
- ④ Taipa Ferry Terminal/Macau International Airport [These two terminals and the airport are right next to each other, located in Taipa, Macau]
- 📍 Shuttle stop: Outside the Taipa Ferry Terminal; In front of the Macau Airport entrance
3) Popular casino shuttle routes at a glance
- ① Grand Lisboa round trip to Gongbei Port (must get a shuttle ticket on B1 before riding)
- ② The Londoner (South Wing Lobby) round trip to Hengqin Port
- ③ Round trip between Macau Peninsula and Taipa, Macau
Summary
✅ Within the same area: Walking > Bus > Casino Shuttle > Taxi. For cross-district travel, you can take the hotel’s free casino shuttle.
✅ If your physical condition allows, we recommend walking. Most of Macau’s roads are one-way, so driving involves detours. For example, it takes over 30 minutes to take a bus from The Venetian to Rua da Cunha, but walking only takes 10 minutes.
✅ The distances between various attractions are not far, especially in the Taipa district. As long as you choose your hotel well, you can basically get around on foot.
3. Where is it more convenient to book a hotel?
Before choosing a hotel, you should first know that Macau is mainly divided into two areas: the [Macau Peninsula] and [Taipa].
The Macau Peninsula is the old town area, with many famous attractions such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Grand Lisboa, Macau Tower, and Guia Fortress. It has the most Macanese-Portuguese style and the hotels are relatively older, but offer good value for money.
Taipa is a newly reclaimed area with towering buildings. Several major hotel clusters such as The Venetian and Galaxy are located here. There are many popular photo spots, the living experience is good, and shopping is convenient. Hotel prices are also relatively more expensive.
PS: You can’t stay in homestays in Macau⚠️. There are relevant regulations. If you’re caught, you’ll be fined 3,000 MOP. It’s better to play it safe and stay in a hotel, which has good facilities and high security.
4.Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Macau
1️⃣ Ruins of St. Paul’s
A 400-year-old church ruin and one of Macau’s iconic buildings. After being destroyed three times, only the front wall of St. Paul’s Church remains. It combines Eastern and Western architectural art and is a testament to the entry of Western civilization into Chinese history.
2️⃣ Calçada do Amparo
The brightly colored buildings now serve as a cultural and creative base, with many small shops worth browsing and occasional exhibitions and events.
3️⃣ Macau Tower
Built in 1998, the 338-meter-tall Macau Tower is one of the world’s top ten standalone observation towers. It is a landmark building that combines sightseeing, dining, and adventure sports.
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Macau at a height of 223 meters and challenge bungee jumping, Skywalk, and Skyclimb.
4️⃣ Rua da Cunha
A popular souvenir and snack street, known as Macau’s famous food street. The macaroon-colored houses along the street make for great photos.
However, if you visit Macau during holidays, you may encounter large crowds of tourists, and popular stores will have long queues. You can decide based on your itinerary and available time.
5️⃣ The Londoner Macao
With its Victorian-era architectural style and iconic Big Ben building, it feels like you’ve been transported to London in just a second!
The nighttime light show is worth seeing. The moment the lights come on, it feels like you’ve been transported into a fairy-tale European town. The lights change in rhythm, which is truly stunning!
Light Show
⏱ Show time: The light show runs from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm every night, with each show lasting about 5 minutes.
⛳️ Viewing location: On the second floor next to the main entrance of The Londoner, close to the bus stop and near the Nelson’s Column.
6️⃣ The Venetian Macao
If you’re visiting Macau for the first time, don’t miss the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian! Modeled after Venice, Italy, the interior features characteristic arched bridges, canals, and cobblestone paths. You can also experience a gondola ride.
8️⃣ The Parisian Macao
The Parisian Macao is another must-visit landmark in Macau. The Eiffel Tower is built to half the scale of the original in Paris, creating an unparalleled romantic and mysterious atmosphere that is intoxicating and hard to resist!
7️⃣ Studio City Water Park
(⏰ Opening hours: 12:00-20:00)
How can you not play in the water when traveling in summer? Studio City Water Park in Macau has both indoor and outdoor areas, making it fun and refreshing. You can enjoy a full range of indoor and outdoor water attractions in one stop!
9️⃣ Macau Fisherman’s Wharf
Combining dining, shopping, and entertainment, this free attraction is built to resemble the Roman Colosseum. Compared to other crowded attractions, there are fewer people here, which is quite friendly for those who want to take good photos!
🔟 teamLab SuperNature Macao
The giant group of works has a stunning visual effect, allowing you to experience the charm of light and shadow created by the combination of technology and art.
If you like art, want to take photos, or are bringing children, this is highly recommended. If time permits, it’s best to visit on weekdays when there are fewer people.
5.Macau Food
Recommendations from Netizens
- ① Near Portas do Cerco: Pak Lok Mun Noodle Shop, Century Bakery
- ② Near Ruins of St. Paul’s: Ngau Kei Curry, Golden City II Restaurant, Kabuki, Dino Burger, Lemoncello, Bamu, Sea King Ice Room, Lei Hin Ice Room
- ③ Rua da Cunha: Mong Kee Cafe, Lord Stow’s Bakery, Cheong Chau Sticky Rice Balls, Curry Full, Yung Kee Beef Offal, Old Day Beef Offal
- ④ Taipa: Kam Lei Restaurant, Yee Shun Milk Company, Ming Chi Beef Noodle Restaurant, Happy Bee, Ju Zhu Ru Bao, Hei Lin Coffee, Sai Kei Cafe
The above is the [Macau Travel Guide] compiled by the editor for everyone. If you find it helpful, feel free to save it!
